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Julia and brother Eric Roberts still fuming over something
By Evelyn Green
 | | Madonna is still retains her
U.S. Citizenship.
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Q: On a recent entertainment news program, I heard that Julia Roberts had reconciled with her brother, Eric Roberts. Is this true? And what caused the problem between them? — Sharon S.
A: The people who claim to know what’s going on with the Roberts’ siblings say that so far as they’re aware, the two are still estranged, although Julia has reportedly been in contact with her brother’s children over the years. Neither Eric nor Julia has gone public with the full story behind the rift. One interesting note: Julia Roberts’ biographers claim that she once credited Eric with encouraging her to become an actor.
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Q: What happened to my favorite show, “Boston Legal”? I thought “Grey’s Anatomy” was only using the Sunday slot for a few weeks. — M. S.
A: Good news. “Boston Legal” is back. As a matter of fact, an episode is scheduled to air Aug. 9. The series will continue to air on Tuesdays in the new season.
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Q: I have a question about a statement that Madonna supposedly made in England about planning to support liberal candidates for the 2006 elections in the United States. I thought as an English citizen that she had no right to intercede in American politics. Please explain if you can. — B.L.
A: First, please note that Madonna has never given up her American citizenship, and while she holds resident status in England, she retains her rights as an American. She can vote, and she can even take part in American holiday festivities such as Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July by going to the American embassy.
Most important, whether she actually made those comments you cite or not, as an American, she has the right to support the candidates of her choice.
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Q: I was told that in spite of all the insults people suffer on some of those entertainment reality shows, they cannot get equal time from the network to defend themselves. I thought that’s what the equal-time law is all about, and if it isn’t, it should be. Also, I would like to point out that I know someone who was on one of those shows and is still having trouble getting over being hurt. Please do not use my name or initials.
A: Wow! What an interesting question. Let me start by saying that the equaltime provision in the law is geared to protecting the right of minor political party candidates to have equal access to the broadcast television and radio networks, which belong to all of us. The same right does not apply, for example, to newspapers, which are privately owned.
One way to “get back,” as it were, against an on-air critic’s attack is to persuade an entertainment news program to put you on its show, where you can vent your feelings. But unless your story is unique, these programs probably won’t give you the airtime.
Have a question for Evelyn? E-mail her at letters.kfws@hearstsc.com, or write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.
(c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc
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